Where Hope Is Found

In silence, I hear its harmonies…

I see it in the smooth pink skin of a newborn
and in the deep shadowed lines of an octogenarian’s smile;
I take note of hope’s sigh in the space that is empty in a pew;
I see its struggle for life in the life of one just days from loosing their home;
I smell hope in the aroma of an uncorked bottle of wine.

I hear it
in birdsong,
in the sniffles
caused by weeping at the bed side of a loved one,
in the shouts for justice in places of despair.

I taste hope on the lips, the tongue, of my wife as we kiss.

I see it in the stoic faces of officers who have taken a life;
I hear it in the breaking glass of a riot.

I smell hope in the earthy assault of a sudden Spring shower;
I see it in the swishing tail of a cat intent on catching that fly;
I see hope in the weed that breaks apart concrete stretching,
creeping, reaching, towards the sun;

I feel hope in the embrace of my beloved after harsh words
have done their deed;
I sense hope in the darkness of a storm;
I see it as my daughter bounces, bounces, bounces,
a tennis ball
before striking her serve.

I taste hope in words that are held back on my tongue.

I see, taste, hear, smell, feel hope all around.

Anywhere there is the presence of God.
Any place or time there is space
for God to appear –
There is hope.